Dullahan
The dullahan is an Unseelie Fey creature found in the Autumn Court that makes up the main body of the Wild Hunt.
Resisting the advance of the Dullahan is hopeless for all but the most skilled warriors. They are indefagitable warriors with endless endurance, and once they have uttered the true name of their quarry, they are all but powerless to escape.
The dullahan are loyal to, and report all quarry and other findings to, the Erlkönig and the Vadderung. Some believe they are blessed by Arawn.
Basic Information
Anatomy
The dullahan appears as a knight (seemingly always male) in armor made of enormous beetle-shells, astride a night-mare and wielding a whip made of a mortal's spine. His helmet is empty; he carries his head in one hand, beneath his cloak. The eyes of his severed head are impossible to behold without causing madness in mortal minds.
Ecology and Habitats
The dullahan live in the deep woods of the Feywild, particularly within the Autumn Court. Within the heavy, shadowed canopy of the trees, they can rest in a shrunken, semi-incorporeal form until they need to join the Wild Hunt once again.
Dietary Needs and Habits
The dullahan are obligate carnivores, only capable of devouring the personalities and memories of other fey, though they do still slay mortals who obstruct their path. They do not need to feed often, but without enough life-force, a dullahan fades away and becomes one of the Sluagh.
Behaviour
The dullahan tend to rest and wander alone, but often come together in packs to hunt, particularly when seeking out larger groups of prey, such as a band of Sprites or a Kitsune village. They use their bulk, intimidating appearance, and superior battle tactics to surround and overwhelm their prey in the dead of night. Once they have feasted upon the life force of their victims, they retreat alone to the shadowed forest to rest.
Additional Information
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
The dullahan holds an even larger amount of power than the average fey—almost as a demi-archfey. Once he mounts to ride on the Wild Hunt, he is permitted to speak just once per journey. If he speaks the true name of a creature, it spells that creature's certain death.
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